Wringer index assembly



May 25, 19 3. w. L. KAUFFMAN, 2D

WRINGER INDEX ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed Jan. 30, 1941 R 0 N E V mM w a ,V/ v 7 Y 8 ATTORNEYS May 25,1943. w. 1.. KAUFFMAN, 2D 2,320,324

WRINGER INDEX ASSEMBLY I Filed Jan. 30, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYSloosen the indexing mechanism and with the Patented May 25, 1943 UNITED.STATES PATENT OFFICE WRINGER INDEX ASSEMBLY Application January 36 1941,Serial No. 376,641

4 Claims. .(Cl. 68-274) Power wringers are ordinarily mounted so thatthey may be turned to difl'erent positions over the washing-machine orover tubs adjacent to the washing machine. It is common to provideindexing means whereby the wringer may belocked in each adjustedposition. The present invention is designed to simplify and make moredefinite the locking of the indexing mechanismat each adjustment. Thedriving pressure of the wringer, and the operating shocks that arereceived by the wringer, tend' to continued vibration of the parts thereis some diiliculty in maintaining the wringer, at the index position.The present invention is designed to obviate this difliculty. Featuresand details of the invention will appear from the specification andclaims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings as follows:

Fig. 1 shows a front elevation of a wringer indexing mechanism beingshown in section.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the indexing lock in unlocked position,in section on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1. I I n Fig. 3 a similar view withthe lock inlocked position.

Fig. 4 a similar view showing the lock worked toward release and themeans for preventing release. I

Fig. 5 a plan view of the indexing flange.

Fig.6 an elevation of a wringer, including a modification of theindexing mechanism, the parts being broken away to show the indexingmechanism. Y

Fig. 7 a plan view of the indexing flange on the line 7-1 in Fig. 6.

Fig, 8 a similar section showing the indexing mechanism moved towardrelease and indicating the locking mechanism preventing completerelease. a

Fig. 9 a similar section showing the indexing means completely released.

I- marks the wringer frame, '2 the wringer head, 3 a swivel extension onthe head, I a bearing on the upper end of the mounting post 4a, and 5 anindexing fiangeon the post.

The flange is provided with a series of index openings 6. A locking pin1 is slidingly mounted in an opening 8 in the head. A pin 9 extendsthrough a slot 8a in the head, this pin 9 being secured inthe lockingpin 1. The outer end of the pin 9 is provided with a handle III by meansof which-the locking pin may be drawn up to release position.

The openings 6 in theflange 5 are tapered .at H and have a reverse orundercut taper II.

The locking pin 1 is provided with a taper l3 corresponding to taper II,and a tapered head I corresponding to the taper II. The locking pin isyieldlngly forced downwardly to locking position by spring [5, thespring being arranged in the opening 8 above the locking pin.

When it is desired to position the wringer, the locking pin is lifted tothe position shown in Fig. 2 and the wringer can then be swung to anyposition provided by the indexing mechanism,

there being as many openings 8 as it is desired to have positions. Whenthe locking pin is released and it enters'an opening 6 the taperedsurfaces I l and I 3 are brought into engagement so as to make rigid thesetting of the wringer. In the forces to which the wringer is subjectedby the driving mechanism and the feeding of the wringer the locking pinis apt to work upwardly and finally release itself. This is prevented inthe present case by the engagement of the head or shoulder with theundercut portion of the opening 6, this engagement being indicated inFig. 4.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9, the wringer I has thehead 2a. This head is provided with a swivel extension 3a. adapted toswivel on a bearing M1 on a post 4b. The post has the index flange 5awith radial openings or slots 6a. Locking levers lo are adapted to enterthe slot 6a. to lock the wringer in position. The lever is pivotallymounted on a pin "5. A bell crank extension I! terminates in ahandle l8by means of which the lever la may be swung. A spring 19 tends to forcethe lower end of the lever inwardly to yieldingly hold it in the notch.

The notches have the tapers ,l I a and an undercut taper I221. The leverhas a similar taper I3a engaging the taper Ila and a header taper I laengaging the taper l2a. It will readily be seen that as the lever isjarred loose or tended to be jarred loose it is moved from. the positionshown in Fig. 'Zto that of Fig. 8. Here the head or reverse taper Ilaengages the undercut shoulder Ma and prevents the complete release.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a wringer index assembly having a wringer head member and apost'member on which the head member is swiveled, the combination withsaid post and head of an index mechment mounted on the other member, andadapted to enter, and be retracted from, the openings, said elementhaving a shoulder resisting, through engagement with the undercutportion of the opening, the release movement of the element from theopening.

2. In a wringer index assembly. having a wringer head member and a postmember on which the head member is swiveled, the combination with saidpost and head of an index mechanism comprising openings in one membereach having an undercut portion and a locking element mounted on theother member and adapted to enter, and be retracted from, the

nation with said post and head of an index mechanism comprising openingsin one member and -a locking element movably mounted on the other memberand adapted to enter, and be retracted from, the openings, said elementand openingshaving tapered engagement surfaces, the openings havingundercut portions with tapered surfaces, and the locking element 9. ts.-pered head, said tapered head being adapted to engage the undercutportion and resisting a release movement of the element.

Q, In a wringer index mechanism a wringer head member and a .post memberon which the head member is swiveled, one of said members having anindex flange with radially extending notches, the notches havingundercut portions, and a swinging locking finger adapted to enter thenotches to lock the mechanism, and be retracted from said notches, saidfinger having a shoulder adapted to engage the undercut portion of thenotches to resist a release movement.

WALTER L. KAUFFMAN, II.

